Michael Ramsay

Published:11:49Updated:15:14Wednesday 11 February 2015

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THE spotlight will be firmly on Alan Pardew at Selhurst Park tonight as he takes on his old team. Michael Ramsay spoke to two of his former players on his tactics and mindset ahead of the crunch clash.

IF Alan Pardew was enjoying some respite from the howls of derision and murmurs of discontent from an unforgiving Tyneside contingent, the former Newcastle boss will have to don yet another thick layer of skin for what is sure to be a fiesty encounter tonight.

Reading's Nicky Shorey (right) and Manchester United's Antonio Valencia (left) battle for the ball in the air during the FA Cup, Fifth Round match at Old Trafford, Manchester. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday February 18, 2013. See PA story SOCCER Man Utd. Photo credit should read: Martin Rickett/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. Maximum 45 images during a match. No video emulation or promotion as 'live'. No use in games, competitions, merchandise, betting or single club/player services. No use with unofficial audio, video, data, fixtures or club/league logos.

Never one to shirk the spotlight, Pardew took his seat in the Magpies dugout each weekend with an act of defiance, as the whistles grew louder and the banners appeared in their hundreds.

For the last 18 months of his tenure at St James’s Park, the death knell seemed poised to signal his dismissal following a run of results that left supporters baying for blood.

Having arrived at St James’s Park in December 2010 with a beaming grin and in a jovial mood, towards the end of his rein he looked a defeated man, despite his protestations to the contrary.

Having walked out on the club almost four years to the day since he succeeded Chris Hughton, Pardew is now back at Selhurst Park where he is a revered hero.

With the Toon Army having struggled to come to terms with the firing of the popular Hughton, the mood at Crystal Palace is contrasting.

Having spent four years on the books of the Eagles between 1987 and 1991, Pardew wrote himself into Palace folklore with an FA Cup semi-final winning goal against Liverpool.

Now, having assumed control from the departed Neil Warnock, Pardew has instantly transformed the struggling club’s fortunes, overseeing five wins from his first six games.

So was Pardew the right fit at St James’s Park – or was he simply forced to work in constricting circumstances and weighed down by an ungrateful fanbase?

Hayden Mullins, a former disciple of Pardew at West Ham, has claimed that the 53-year-old “did very well for the club on what he was given” – and has labelled the supporters’ criticism of him as “unfair”.

“He’s always seemed like he’s had to sell his best players,” said Mullins. “He’s not necessarily had the resources or funds.

“Obviously, trying to replace them must have been very hard as well. Transfer dealings in and out might have been out of his hands.